![]() ![]() The court found that the defendant had failed to show undue prejudice and that the supplement merely elaborated on the extent of the injuries without setting out new injuries or a new theory of liability. The defendant argued that the plaintiff had waited until close to the time of trial before supplementing or amending the bill of particulars, but the court granted the plaintiff’s motion. The court cited previous case law that a bill of particulars can be supplemented with continuing damages only if the continuing damages are “an anticipated sequelae” of the injuries alleged in the original. Leave to amend should be freely granted absent prejudice to the other party. The court noted that the standard used in determining motions for leave to amend a bill of particulars is similar to that in CPLR 3025. The plaintiff then moved for leave to serve the amended bill of particulars. The response stated that it had been improperly served and was being “rejected and returned.” The response stated that the injuries described in the supplemental/amended bill of particulars had not been alleged previously. The defendant’s attorney responded that the plaintiff could not amend the bill of particulars without leave of the court. Additionally, it stated that the plaintiff remained totally disabled from employment and continued to have lost earnings, as alleged previously. ![]() This document stated that the plaintiff had left common peroneal neuropathy and left tarsal tunnel syndrome as a result of the injuries he had already alleged. In August 2015, he served a supplemental/amended bill of particulars. ![]() The report was dated June 5, 2013, but plaintiff’s counsel said he had not received it before. Plaintiff’s counsel stated that there was a report in the records that indicated left common peroneal neuropathy and left tarsal tunnel syndrome related to the injury of the plaintiff’s left leg. The plaintiff’s attorney requested and received updated medical records from the plaintiff’s treating physician around August 2015. The plaintiff was examined by the defendant’s doctor on May 2, 2013. ![]() His verified bill of particulars, served on July 12, 2012, indicated his injuries were fractures in his left leg and ankle. The plaintiff filed suit after allegedly being injured while working in construction. The Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, recently considered whether a plaintiff could amend his bill of particulars in Lopez v. Thereafter, a party may amend or supplement a pleading by stipulation or leave of the court, which is to be “freely given upon such terms as may be just….” Defendants will often object to a plaintiff amending his or her pleadings, arguing that they would be prejudiced by the amendment. Under Rule 3025 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules, a party may amend a pleading without the court’s leave within 20 days after the pleading is served or within 20 days after service of the response. While ideally all pleadings and other court documents would contain full and accurate information, sometimes a plaintiff needs to amend when new information comes to light. ![]()
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